48. Basra

.

Spinning fast down a narrow 

track that clings to the 

tenuous layer of thin existence

balanced finely

between the infinity of 

hot blue sky and the 

vast plain of slippery 

golden sand dissolving under the 

burden of a relentless 

sun,

two kilometers east of 

The Tree 

(the only

Tree):

two foxes.

 .

They heard

us coming.

As we rose over the shimmering

curvature of horizon

they ran 

ripping

twin dust clouds off the 

broad surface

of the planet, cutting 

thin trails through the 

interminable heat to

disappear

over the slow

curvature of the earth’s edge

south 

 .

toward

nothing.

 .

Just sand.